Your Gardening Q&A

KEITH FULLERHorticulturist

Published Saturday, May 03, 2003

Q. How can I root some cuttings from my camellia bush? I think it produces the most beautiful camellias I have ever seen.

A. Cuttings from camellias are generally taken in May from hardened spring growth. These should be four to six inches in length. Stick them in a course medium. Camellia cuttings can be slow to root taking up to several months before being ready to remove from the propagation bed.

Q. We used Ortho to treat the scale on our magnolias. Most of it is gone, but now the tree is dropping leaves. Will this be OK? Why do the buds fall from my hibiscus before they open?

A. This is the time of year that magnolias drop leaves since they are sprouting new leaves. There is nothing to be concerned about hibiscus bud drop. It can be common on double flower forms. This can also be a physiological response to lack of water and nutrients. Make sure the plant is getting these needed items and make sure they are generously mulched.

Q. The tips of my red cedar are turning brown. This has not happened before. What is causing this?

A. Red cedars can get tip blight which usually occurs in the spring or fall. This sounds like the condition your plant is experiencing. Normally, this condition will run its course. A fungicide like Dithane can be applied to the cedar if you choose.

Q. Is there a natural deterrent for termites and wood ants? I am using wood mulch and these insects concern me.

A. Use a mulch that does not contain wood. This is the advantage to using pine needles as a mulch. It contains no wood and thus does not attract termites. Collect fallen leaves and use them as a mulch, too.

Q. Something is cutting the tips off of my red cedar trees. Some pieces are up to eight inches long. Is an insect doing this and what treatment should I use?

A. Many times birds and squirrels are the cause of this. I am not aware of an insect that would do this on a cedar tree. In high winds, new growth often snaps from the red cedar before it hardens off.

Q. The leaves on my gardenia are yellowing and dropping. The plant has a lot of flower buds. It is potted and I feed it bi-weekly with Miracle Grow. What should I do for the plant?

A. Since this is an evergreen plant, it will drop old leaves to make way for new growth. I think this is what is occurring. Gardenias do need extra iron. Just to cover the bases, I would give it an application of iron.

Q. The tips on many of my red cedars are turning brown. I have noticed a similar condition on many of the cedars around town. Is this connected to all the spring rains we had?

A. This condition, which is a tip blight, is caused by dampness in the spring and fall. The condition usually runs its course as the new growth of the cedar hardens off and matures. You could apply a fungicide if desired to help arrest the diseases spread.

Q. I live at the beach and have potted amaryllis that are in semi-shade. They do not multiply like others that I have seen, which are planted in the ground. I would like to make a bed in which to plant my amaryllis. How should I proceed with this?

A. You can place three to four inches of organic materials; leaf mold, manure, compost, etc., over the surface of the bed and then incorporate it into the soil. This organic material will further decompose, but the thick layer of mulch you maintain over the bed will help to offset this decomposition.

Keith Fuller will answer your gardening questions. Telephone him at 824-4551 and leave your questions on his answering machine. Answers will appear on the gardening page the following Saturdays.